TALENTED Huddersfield musicians are being urged to step forward for a chance to be featured on a CD.

It is hoped the disc will bring acts to the attention of national talent scouts.

The Timeless Music Project follows on from last year's successful Timeless Music Festival, held in Ravensknowle Park, Moldgreen.

Music fans were treated to bands such as The Selecter, The Freestylers, The Bays and Fingathing, alongside Huddersfield performers.

Now, organiser Pat Fulgoni is producing a CD highlighting Huddersfield acts and wants them to forward their music.

He hopes the idea will develop into a fully-fledged record label showcasing local talent.

Mr Fulgoni said: "Opportunities for local music are few and far between.

"We have a long way to go before the London-centric music industry regularly scouts around these parts.

"A compilation CD of local talent is a positive step forward."

The Huddersfield CD will be ready for the beginning of May and sold first via the internet and in outlets throughout Yorkshire.

Additional promotional copies will sent to music industry contacts, with the aim of generating interest for the Huddersfield music scene.

It is hoped that in time the Timeless Music Project will be able to follow up its first CD release with single artist products and establish its own distribution channels.

Mr Fulgoni said he had spent the last few months developing the idea.

He said he would draw from his experience as director of independent record label Chocolate Fireguard.

For the last two years Chocolate Fireguard's products have been featured in the British Phonographic Industry's Best Of British in Virgin Megastores USA and have secured distribution deals in France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

Mr Fulgoni said: "The culture for unofficial downloads and piracy has devalued music as a sellable commodity. This makes it harder than ever for talent to break through.

"It's obvious just from the festival showcases alone that there's some amazing local talent out there.

"We hope local people will show their support for local musicians and buy the Huddersfield compilation."

The deadline for bands to send in music is March 1.

Material should be sent in to Timeless Music Project, PO Box 461, Huddersfield HD5 8WL.